Microsoft Windows Server 2025 has been released in GA on November 1st 2024, and now there is one important 3rd party compatibility announce: Windows Server 2025 is certified on VMware platforms!
Starting with November 16, Windows Server 2025 is officially certified on VMware vSphere 7.0 U3, 8.0, 8.0 U1, 8.0 U2, and 8.0 U3. These versions have been tested and validated to provide a stable, high-performance platform for running Windows Server 2025 as a guest operating system on virtual machines.
For supported release details, please refer to the Broadcom Compatibility Guide.
The Microsoft’s Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP) is open to any vendor that delivers a machine virtualization solution that runs currently supported versions of Windows Server. The program enables vendors to validate various machine virtualization products so that Microsoft customers running copies of Windows Server they have acquired and licensed from Microsoft directly can receive technical support for Windows Server in virtualized environments.
View the details about the certification on the VMware vSphere SVVP Certification page.
Information on Microsoft’s support policy for Hyper-V and Azure can be found at:
Hyper-V Supported Virtual Machines and Guest Operating Systems
Microsoft Server Software and Supported Virtualization Environments
Microsoft Server Software Support for Windows Azure Virtual Machines
VMware Tools
All VMware Tools kernel-mode drivers are fully certified with Windows Server 2025, ensuring high compatibility, stability, and security.
This includes the paravirtualized device drivers:
- VMware PVSCSI and VMXNET3: Since Windows Server 2022 and now extended to Windows Server 2025, VMware Paravirtual SCSI (PVSCSI) disk controller and VMXNET3 network adapter drivers come preinstalled, simplifying the setup process, making efficient deployment of Windows Server VMs with high-performance virtual devices without installing drivers manually.
For more information, please refer to the blog VMware Tools 12.5.0 is ready for the latest Windows operating systems.
VMware Workstation and Fusion
Only Worstation 17.6 and Fusion 13.6 are compatibile with Windows Server 2025!
I’ve tried with an old Workstation 16.x and installation stops because Windows chash with a generic CPU not supported error.
Other software?
Certification will probably added soon… for example for Veeam Backup & Replication the 12.3 version (scheduled in December 5th) will add full support to Windows Server 2025, both for at host and guest level.
